Closed liquid container and method of fabrication

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a method of fabricating a closed liquid container of predetermined length from elongate pliable tubing of which at least one end comprises a continuous perimeter portion, wherein the fabricated container has a fill opening of substantially lesser transverse dimension than the cross-sectional dimension of the tubing.

[0002] Fluid flotation sleep systems are commonly known as waterbeds. Conventional waterbed construction has relied on the use of water mattresses which are basically unitary liquid-containing bags, cut and sealed in the basic shape that the mattress is to assume. A mattress of this type is described in US-A-3 825 172. The mattresses are ordinarily held in place by a rigid frame, and the rough shape of the mattress conforms by virtue of the fluidity of the water contained therein to the usually rather distortable restrictions of the construction of the mattress itself and to the confines of the frames. The disadvantages of this type of construction are well known: the mattress is extremely awkward and heavy when filled; it is prone to develop leaks; there is no easy stepwise procedure for filling; and considerable undesirable wave motion and general instability results in use. Furthermore, the requirement for a rigid support surrounding the flexible mattress poses a hazard unless the support is sufficiently well padded to shield against inadvertent collisions.

[0003] An improvement to this traditional construction comprises a foam box filled with a series of elongated water containers, each container containing water or other similar liquid such that the containers fill the entire cavity of the foam box. This results in a more adaptable design in which the compartments can be filled separately and to any level desired to increase the user's comfort, and in which any leaks incurred can be limited to each separate elongated water container. Such an arrangement is described in US-A-4 221 013.

[0004] In the fabrication of such elongated water containers, a standard calendaring process was utilised. In particular, individual sheets of plastic were lapped with the overlap thereafter being sealed. The length of the seam, however, extended over the entire length of each water container. Although the separate water containers of that improved construction performed satisfactorily, the relatively long seam length is somewhat difficult to seal and leakage may occur after extended use. What is desired therefore is an improved process for constructing the water containers which can result in a much shorter seam segment and thus provide greater stability than was achieved with the construction processes of the prior art.

[0005] According to the present invention, the method of fabricating a closed liquid container as defined initially hereinbefore is characterised by the steps of forcing the said one end of said tubing around a closed perimeter support member, said support member having a surface conforming to a radially inwardly folded end portion of said tubing, said support member being capable of being disassembled into a configuration which can pass through said fill opening, the tubing end turning radially inward and folding against said surface; mounting said support member on means for supporting said support member through said tubing; placing a first end piece in position overlapping said radially inwardly folded end portion, said first end piece consisting of a material compatible to that of said tubing, said first end piece being sufficiently large to cover the open end of the tubing, thereby forming a first layered assembly; bonding said first layered assembly while said end piece is in contact with said radially inwardly folded end portion so as to form a lap weld seal between said first end piece and said tubing; and further characterised by the steps of disassembling said support member and removing said disassembled support member through the fill opening in the thus-fabricated closed liquid container, the fill opening being the only opening in the closed liquid container.

[0006] Preferred closed liquid containers in accordance with the present invention comprise plastic liquid containers which are suitable for use in water beds which are made of seamless tubing that is closed at both ends. The closure is effected by using at least one end cap, but preferably both ends are closed by end caps which are affixed to the tube at oppoaite ends. The containers are fabricated by first extruding a polymer mixture into a tubular configuration and cutting to the desired length. In fabrication one end of the tubing is framed by a support member such that a portion at the very end of the tube folds over the support member. The support member is constructed in a manner so that it may be disassembled into preferably two sections. A support member and associated end of the tube are positioned within and on a fixture which is mounted on a turntable. Next, an end piece, precut to fit the end of the tube with a slight overlap, is placed on the support member so as to overlap the folded-over end. The table is then rotated to move the fixture to an induction heater which, when energized, welds the end piece to the end of the tubular member. After the seal is completed, the support member and associated tube are removed from the fixture and the support member within the tube is moved to the opposite end where it is again placed in position within the end of the tube so that the free edge folds over the support member. This end with the support member therein is then placed within and on a fixture on the turntable and another precut end piece, this one having a water fill opening and associated end cap prefabricated therein, is placed on the support member so as to overlap the folded-over end of the tube. The induction welding step is repeated and the tube and support member are removed from the fixture. The support member is thereafter released within the now totally closed tube, its two parts are disassembled and removed through the water fill opening. The finished tube is then inflated with air and stored for a period of time, preferably eight hours or more, to test for leaks. If no leaks are found, the tube is deflated and packed with other tubes fabricated by the same method for inclusion in a finished water bed.

[0007] The invention is not limited to induction welding of the end pieces to the tube. Other ways of affixing the end caps are known, and it would be possible to use one or another of these procedures in the practice of the invention. For example, an end cap may be affixed to the folded-over end of the extruded tube by adhesive, by solvent bonding and possibly by other means known in the art for sealing plastic surfaces together.

[0008] The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a water bed mattress in which the tubular member of the present invention may be utilized;

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate in a simplified form, the insertion of a support member into the extruded tubular member in order to form one end of the tube;

Fig. 4 shows a particular embodiment of the two-piece support member;

Fig. 5 shows one end of a tubular with the ends overlapping the support member, together with an end piece in preparation for positioning across the end of the tube;

Fig. 6 is a view showing the construction of a support fixture in the manner in which the tube and support member are mounted thereon in preparation for the sealing of the end piece;

Fig. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the fabrication method steps of the present invention;

Fig. 8 shows a completed water container of the present invention; and

Fig. 9 shows the final step in the fabrication of the liquid container of the invention.

[0009] In order to put the present invention in perspective, a brief description of a flotation sleeping surface in which the fabricated water container of the present invention may be utilized will first be set forth. Fig. 1 illustrates fluid flotation sleeping surface 10. The exterior of the structure is formed as a pair of bordered panels or frames, the outer margins of which have substantial height and register together so as to define an interior cavity or enclosed volume into which the water-filled containers can be incorporated. The bottom panel structure comprises a base urethane foam sheet 12, to the outer periphery of which is secured a border member comprising a wedge-shaped or inclined foam wall 14 which is joined to the margin of the base foam sheet 12 about its periphery. The area defined within the inclined surfaces of the wedges 14 comprises a well or open cavity under the principal sleeping surface of the mattress 10. The top panel has a centrally disposed urethane foam layer 16 and an outer peripheral border of resilient foam 18 of rectangular cross-section that is substantially the height of the mattress. The mattress cover comprises a quilted top surface of polyurethane foam and polyester ticking, the foam layer 20 being of substantial height so that the foam layer 20 is unified with the ticking 22. A side guilted margin 24, which may be of urethane fabric, extends around the periphery.

[0010] Within the interior of the enclosed volume thus defined when the top panel is registered over the bottom panel there is disposed a plurality of water containers 30, formed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, in the form of elongated sealed tubes having a nominal diameter of approximately 12.7 cm when filled with water. For a king size sleeping surface, nine of the water containers, or tubes, 30 are sufficient. With tubes of this size, each takes from 22.68 to 31.75 kiloqrams of water when substantially filled with the recommended amount of water. Each tube also includes a fill opening, shown in Fig. 8, which will be described in more detail hereinafter. The tubes 30 are pliant and flexible, in the sense that they conform freely to the body of a user of the bed when the tube is substantially filled. The tubes 30 can be filled to varying degrees so as to comprise a range of support for the sleeping surface. The support can be uniform across the area, or varied with different tubes. With a double or large size bed, to be used by two persons, support on each side can be tailored to the desires of each individual. Under the tubes 30 and disposed across the top of the bottom panel, is a water barrier or collector sheet 36 which fits into the concavity defined by the top of the foam sheet 12 and within the inclined surfaces defined by the wedges 14. It is advantageous, for cost and durability purposes, to use tubes 30 of approximately 0.051 cm thick plastic, and the water barrier sheet 36 may be of 0.025 cm thick plastic. Other thicknesses of materials may be used as appropriate for the materials employed, the specific use to be made of the product and other considerations which may apply.

[0011] Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate in simplified form the initial steps in fabricating the water container 30 of the present invention. In particular, plastic tubing 40 having a length corresponding to the desired length when inserted in mattress 10 is first extruded. A support member 42, shown in more detail in Fig. 4, is moved toward the inner core area of the extruded plastic tubing 40 in the direction of arrow 44. Fig. 3 illustrates the support member 42 already inserted within the core area of tubing 40 and in the process of being rotated in the direction of arrow 46 to form a defined edge of tubing 40 as will be explained hereinafter.

[0012] Referring now to Fig. 4, the support member or ring 42 consists of two pieces 48 and 49 which are integrated with each other through pegs 63 and receptor holes 65. of course, support member 42 may be made of more than two pieces so long as the construction is such that it can be held rigidly together when desired and, when disassembled, can pass through the fill opening of the finished tubular container.

[0013] As shown in more detail in Fig. 5, the support member 42 is first inserted at the end of tubing 40 (see Figs. 3 and 4) and the ends 50 of the tubing 40 folded over the flat end of the support member 42. The nature of the plastic material of the tubing is such that it hugs the surface of the support member when the tubing is stretched by the insertion of the support member into the position shown in Fig. 5. This serves to provide a smooth, wrinkle-free surface at the end of the tube to which an end piece may be affixed in sealing relationship.

[0014] The end of the tube and its support member are now ready for positioning on a support fixture 54, shown in Fig. 6. This support fixture is mounted at a station on a turntable (see Fig. 7) and has a base 56, side walls 58 and an upper, generally ringshaped portion 60, generally matching the configuration of the support member 42. A pair of openings 62 are provided in the side walls 58 and the support member 42 is inserted through one of the side walls 58 and upward through the upper opening 64, moving in the direction of the arrows 66. After it is passed through the upper opening 64, with the tubing 40 extending down and outward through the side opening 62, the support member 42 is aligned with and placed on the upper member 60 of the support fixture 54. An end piece 52, cut to the general shape of the support member 42 and dimensioned to overlap the end of the tube 40 on the upper surface of the support member 42 is placed over the end in preparation for sealing.

[0015] Fig. 7 shows a plurality of fixtures 54 mounted at different work stations on a turntable 70. In the fabrication process of the present invention, the support member 42 with affixed tubing 40 are installed in the work station A, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6. The turntable 70 is then rotated and end piece 52 is placed in position at work station 8. Rotation of the turntable 70 again moves the assembly to work station C, adjacent an induction welder 72. Such a welder, also known as an R.F. heat sealer, is commercially available from Cosmos Electronic Machine Corp., Farmingdale, New York, among others. A metal plate 74 is placed over the assembly and beneath the welder 72. When the welder is energized, the end piece 52 becomes heat sealed to the end of the tubing 40. The turntable 70 is again rotated so that the assembly is now at work station D, where it can be removed from the support fixture 54 through a reversal of the insertion step shown in Fig. 6. Except for the welding step, the procedure would be essentially the same for the other ways of affixing the end cap(s) to the tube which are mentioned hereinabove.

[0016] After the assembly of tubing 40, support member 42 and sealed end piece 52 are removed from work station D, air is blown into the open end of the tube to separate the sides thereof so that the support member 42 can be moved to the other end of the tube 40, and placed in position thereat, repeating the step shown in Fig. 3. The open end of the tube 40 with support member 42 mounted therein is now inserted back into fixture 54 at station A (in the manner shown in Fig. 6) and the steps described above are repeated. except that an end piece 80 (see Fig. 8) having a fill opening 82 is placed in the position shown for the end piece 52 at station B in Fig. 7. This piece 80 is heat sealed in the induction welder 72 at station C in the manner already described. The assembly is now removed at station D and the tube 30 with its sealed end pieces 52 and 80 has the configuration (when inflated) illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0017] The final fabrication step is completed in Fig. 9 by the removal of the pieces making up the support member 42. Removal through the small fill opening is made possible by the parts being separate in the configuration shown and being disassembleable by manipulation within the tube 30. Fig. 9 shows one of the pieces 48 being thus removed from the finished tube 30. To test for leaks, the tube 30 is inflated and let stand for several hours, preferably overnight, to determine if it holds air. If any leaks are detected, the unit is discarded. However, the fabrication method of the present invention is so effective that no more than one or two percent of the units fabricated by this method are found to have any leaks.

[0018] The material used for the extruded tubing 40 and the end pieces 52 and 80 may be any suitable plastic. Flexible polyvinyl chloride has been found to be a suitable polymer for this purpose and is preferred. Other materials which share similar properties of extrudability and capacity to heat seal may be substituted.

Claims

1. A method of fabricating a closed liquid container of predetermined length from elongate pliable tubing (40) of which at least one end comprises a continuous perimeter end portion, wherein the fabricated container has a fill opening (82) of substantially lesser transverse dimension than the cross-sectional dimension of the tubing (40), the method being characterised by the steps of:

forcing the said one end of said tubing (40) around a closed perimeter support member (42), said support member (42) having a surface conforming to a radially inwardly folded end portion (50) of said tubing (40), said support member (42) being capable of being disassembled into a configuration which can pass through said fill opening (82), the tubing end turning radially inward and folding against said surface;

mounting said support member (42) on means (54) for supporting said support member (42) through said tubing (40);

placing a first end piece (52) in position overlapping said radially inwardly folded end portion (50), said first end piece (52) consisting of a material compatible to that of said tubing (40), said first end piece (52) being sufficiently large to cover the open end of the tubing (40), thereby forming a first layered assembly;

bonding said first layered assembly while said end piece (52) is in contact with said radially inwardly folded end portion (50) so as to form a lap weld seal between said first end piece (52) and said tubing (40);

and further characterised by the steps of disassembling said support member (42) and removing said disassembled support member (42) through the fill opening (82) in the thus-fabricated closed liquid container, the fill opening being the only opening in the closed liquid container.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each end of the tubing (40) comprises a continuous perimeter end portion, further characterised by the steps of, before disassembling the support member (42).

transferring said support member (42) to the opposite end of said tubing (40);

forcing said opposite end of said tubing (40) around said support member (42) such that the opposite end portion turns radially inward and folds against the said surface of said support member (42);

mounting said support member (42) on means (54) for supporting said support member (42) through said tubing (40);

placing a second end piece (80) in position overlapping said radially inwardly folded end portion, said second end piece (80) consisting of a material compatible to that of said tubing (40), said second end piece (80) being sufficiently large to cover the open end of the tubing (40), thereby forming a second layered assembly; and

bonding said second layered assembly while said second end piece is in contact with said radially inwardly folded end portion so as to form a lap weld seal between said-second end piece and said tubing (40).

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the fill opening (82) is in one end piece (80) and further characterised by the step of removing the pieces of the disassembled support member (42) through the end piece fill opening (82).

4. A method according to any preceding claim, characterised by the step of mounting the first layered assembly in a support fixture (54) so as to facilitate the heating of the assembly to effect the seal.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the support fixture (54) is characterised by an upper member (60) of configuration and dimension to match the support member (42) and a side wall opening (62) through which the support member (42) and tubing (40) may be passed for mounting on the fixture (54) and removal therefrom.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, characterised by the steps of extruding the tubing (40) and cutting it to a predetermined length prior to any of the steps of claim I.

7. A method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein both the support member (42) and the upper member (60) of the support fixture (54) are closed annular members with elongate side portions, characterised by the transverse dimensions of said members (42,60) which are respectively parallel to and orthogonal to said side portions being such that the support member (42) and associated end of the tubing (40) can be passed through the opening of the support fixture upper member (60).

8. A method according to any preceding claim characterised by the support member (42) being annular with the maximum cross-sectional dimension of each piece (48,49) of the support member (42) being less than the transverse dimension of the fill opening (82).

9. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterised by the mounting steps including passing said support member (42) with associated tubing (40) through said fixture side wall opening (62) and upward through said upper member (60) of said fixture (54) with said support member (42) being oriented relative to the support fixture (54) such that its lesser transverse dimension extends generally in the direction of said upper member elongated side portions.

10. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by said tubing (40) being extruded and seamless between the opposite ends thereof so that the support member (42) can only be removed in disassembled form through said fill opening (82).

11. A closed liquid container (30) for use with a plurality of like containers in a waterbed including:

an elongate pliable tubular member (40);

a pair of end closures, one at each end of the tubular member, each end closure including:

(a) a formed end surface (50) extending radially inward about the tubular member (40), the end surface being smooth and wrinkle-free, and

(b) an end piece (52,80) approximating in extent the transverse dimensions of the tubular member (40) and overlapping the end surface (50), the end piece being sealingly affixed to the formed end surface in a lap welded joint closing the end of the tubular member;
the container being characterised by a fill opening (82) being the only opening in the closed liquid container and in that the tubular member (40) is seamless.

12. A container according to claim 11, characterised in that the elongate member (40) and end pieces (52,80) are constructed of a pliant plastic material, and the end pieces are fused to the end surfaces.

13. A container according to claim 11 or 12, characterised by said elongate member (40) being formed by an extruding process.

14. A fluid flotation sleeping surface construction having an interior cavity and wherein a plurality of separate liquid containers are adapted to be disposed within the cavity, and characterised by the liquid containers corresponding to the container of any of claims 11 to 13.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zur Herstellung von geschlossenen Flüssigkeitsbehältern bestimmter Länge aus länglichen, biegsamen Schläuchen (40), von denen wenigstens ein Ende einen durchgehenden, runden Endbereich aufweist, wobei der hergestellte Behälter eine Füllöffnung (82) von wesentlich kleinerem Durchmesser als der Querschnitt des Schlauches (40) aufweist, gekennzeichnet durch folgende Verfahrensschritte:

das feste Anliegen des einen Endes des Schlauches (40) um eine geschlossene, ringförmige Aussteifung (42), wobei die Aussteifung (42) eine Fläche aufweist, die an das radial nach innen gefaltete Ende (50) des Schlauches (40) angepaßt ist, und wobei die Aussteifung (42) in mehrere Teile zerlegt werden kann, die durch die Füllöffnung (82) passen und wobei das Schlauchende nach innen gedreht und über die genannte Fläche gefaltet wird.

das Befestigen der Aussteifung (42) auf einer Vorrichtung (54) zum Unterstützen der Aussteifung (42) durch den Schlauch (40),

das Placieren eines ersten Endstückes (52) in einer Lage, in der es den radial nach innen gefalteten Endbereich (50) Überlappt, wobei das erste EndstÜck (52) aus einem zum Schlauch (40) passenden Material besteht und groß genug ist, um das offene Ende des Schlauches (40) zu verschließen und dabei eine erste schichtweise Anordnung zu bilden,

das Verbinden der ersten schichtartigen Anordnung, wobei das Endstück (52) in Kontakt mit dem radial nach innen gefalteten Endbereich (50) steht, um eine überlappte, verschweißte Dichtung zwischen dem ersten Endstück (52) und dem Schlaüch (40) zu bilden,

und die Demontage der Aussteifung (42) sowie das Entfernen der zerlegten Aussteifungen (42) durch die Füllöffnung (82) im hergestellten, geschlossenen Flüssigkeitsbehälter, wobei die Füllöffnung die einzige Öffnung im geschlossenen Flüssigkeitsbehälter ist.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch I, wobei jedes Ende des Schlauches (40) einen fortlaufenden runden Endbereich aufweist, wobei das Verfahren vor der Demontage der Aussteifung (42) durch folgende Schritte gekennzeichnet ist:

das Oberführen der Aussteifung (42) zum gegenüberliegenden Ende des Schlauches (40),

das enge Anliegen des gegenüberliegenden Endes des Schlauches (40) um die Aussteifung (42), so daß das gegenüberliegende Ende radial nach innen gegen die Fläche der Aussteifung (42) gewendet und gefaltet wird,

das Befestigen der Aussteifung (42) auf einer Vorrichtung (54) zum AbstÜtzen der Aussteifung (42) durch den Schlauch (40),

das Placieren eines zweiten Endstückes (80) in einer Lage, in der es den radial nach innen gefalteten Endbereich überlappt, wobei das Zweite EndstÜck (80) aus einem zum Schlauch (40) passenden Material besteht und groß genug ist, um das offene Ende des Schlauches (40) zu verschließen und dabei eine zweite schichtweise Anordnung zu bilden, und

das Verbinden der zweiten schichtartigen Anordnung, wobei das zweite Endstück in Kontakt mit dem radial nach innen gefalteten Endbereich steht, um eine überlappte, verschweißte Dichtung zwischen dem zweiten Endstück und dem Schlauch (40) zu bilden.

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, wobei sich in einem Endstück (80) eine Füllöffnung (82) befindet, gekennzeichnet durch das Entfernen der Stücke der zerlegten Aussteifung (42) durch die EndstückfÜllöffnung (82).

4. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden AnsprÜche, gekennzeichnet durch das Befestigen der ersten schichtweisen Anordnung in einer Befestigungsvorrichtung (54) zum Vereinfachen des Aufheizens der Anordnung, um die Abdichtung zu bewirken.

5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Befestigungsvorrichtung (54) gekennzeichnet ist durch ein oberes Teil (60) solcher Form und Größe, daß es zur Aussteifung (42) paßt und eine Öffnung (62) der Seitenwand, durch die die Aussteifung (42) und der Schlauch (40) zum Befestigen auf der Befestigungsvorrichtung (54) sowie zum Entfernen hindurchgezogen werden können.

6. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch das Extrudieren des Schlauches (40) und das Abschneiden auf die Länge, wie sie für die Schritte nach Anspruch 1 notwendig ist.

7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, wobei sowohl die Aussteifung (42) als auch das obere Teil (60) der Befestigungsvorrichtung (54) geschlossene Ringe mit verlängerten Seitenteilen sind, gekennzeichnet durch die Abmessungen der Teile (42), (60) in Querrichtung, wobei die Teile zueinander parallel und senkrecht zu den Seitenbereichen liegen, so daß die Aussteifung (42) und das damit verbundene Ende des Schlauches (40) sich durch die Öffnung des oberen Teiles (60) der Befestigungsvorrichtung erstrecken kann.

8. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Aussteifung (42) ringförmig ist, wobei der größte Durchmesser jedes Teiles (48,49) der Aussteifung (42) kleiner ist als die Quererstreckung der Füllöffnung (82).

9. Verfahren nach einem der AnsprÜche 5 bis 8, durch gekennzeichnet, daß die Befestigungsschritte das Hindurchführen der Aussteifung (42) mit dem damit verbundenen Schlauch (40) durch die Öffnung (62) in der Seitenwand der Befestigungsvorrichtung sowie nach oben durch das obere Teil (60) der Befestigungsvorrichtung (54) umfaßt, wobei die Aussteifung (42) gegenüber der Befestigungsvorrichtung so ausgerichtet ist, daß sich seine kleinere Quererstreckung in der Richtung der verlängerten Seitenbereiche des oberen Teiles erstreckt.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Schlauch (40) extrudiert ist und keine Naht zwischen den gegenüberliegenden Enden aufweist, so daß die Aussteifung (42) nur im zerlegten Zustand durch die Füllöffnung (82) entfernt werden kann.

11. Geschlossener FlÜssigkeitsbehälter (30) zur Benutzung zusammen mit einer Vielzahl ähnlicher Behälter in einem Wasserbett, wobei der FlÜssigkeitsbehälter

einen länglichen, biegsamen Schlauch,

zwei Endverschlüsse, nämlich einen an jedem Ende des Schlauches, aufweist, wobei

a. sich eine glatte und faltenfreie, geformte Endfläche (50) radial nach innen Über den Schlauch (40) erstreckt und

b. ein Endstück (52, 80), das sich in etwa über die Quererstreckung des Schlauches (40) erstreckt und die Endfläche (50) Überlappt und wobei das Endstück an der geformten Endfläche durch eine überlappte Schweissnaht abdichtend befestigt ist, wodurch das Ende des Schlauches verschlossen wird, durch gekennzeichnet, daß die Füllöffnung (82) die einzige Öffnung des geschlossenen Flüssigkeitsbehälters ist und der Schlauch (40) keine Naht aufweist.

12. Behälter nach Anspruch 11 dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das längliche Teil (40) und die Endstücke (52,80) aus biegsamen Plastikmaterial hergestellt sind und die Endstücke mit den Endflächen verschmolzen sind.

13. Behälter nach Anspruch 11 oder 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das längliche Teil (40) durch Extrusion hergestellt ist.

14. FlÜssigkeitsdurchflutete Schlafflächenkonstruktion mit einem inneren Hohlraum, in dem eine Vielzahl von einzelnen Flüssigkeitsbehältern angeordnet sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es sich bei den Flüssigkeitsbehältern um die Behälter nach einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 13 handelt.

Revendications

1. Procédé de fabrication d'un récipient fermé et de longueur déterminée, destiné à loger un liquide et que l'on obtient en partant d'un tuyau (40) souple et allongé, dont une extrémité, au moins, présente une partie dont le périmètre est continu, le récipient fabriqué comportant une ouverture (82) de remplissage, de dimension transversale sensiblement plus petite que la section droite de ce tuyau (40), procédé caractérisé par les étapes consistant à

disposer à force la partie précitée de l'extrémité du tuyau (40) autour d'un organe (42) de support à périmètre fermé, cet organe de support (42) présentant une surface qui se conforme à une partie (50), repliée radialement vers l'intérieur de cette extrémité du tuyau (40) et pouvant être démonté pour présenter une configuration lui permettant de passer dans l'ouverture (82) de remplissage, ladite partie de l'extrémité se retournant radialement vers l'intérieur et se repliant contre cette surface;

monter cet organe (42) de support sur un dispositif (54) destiné à soutenir cet organe par l'intermédiaire du tuyau;

placer un premier embout (52) dans une position 25 dans laquelle il recouvre la partie d'extrémité (50), repliée radialement vers l'intérieur, ce premier embout (52) étant en un matière compatible avec celle du tuyau (40) et étant assez grand pour recouvrir l'extrémité ouverte de ce tuyau (40), en formant un premier ensemble multicouche;

lier ce premier ensemble multicouche, pendant que l'embout (52) est en contact avec la partie d'extrémité (50) repliée radialement vers l'intérieur, de façon à former une jonction soudée à recouvrement hermétique entre ce premier embout (52) et le tuyau (40); et caractérisé par ailleurs par les étapes consistant à démonter l'organe (42) de support et à retirer cet organe (42), une fois démonté, par l'ouverture (82) de remplissage du récipient ainsi fabriqué, cette ouverture de remplissage étant la seule ouverture du récipient fermé.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chaque extrémité du tuyau (40) comporte une partie dont le périmètre est continu, procédé caractérisé par les étapes consistant, avant de démonter l'organe (42) de support, à

transférer cet organe (42) de support à l'autre extrémité du tuyau (40);

appliquer à force cette autre extrémité du tuyau (40) autour dudit organe (42) de support, de manière qu'une partie de ladite extrémité se retourne radialement vers l'intérieur et se replie contre la surface de cet organe (42) de support;

monter ledit organe (42) de support sur le dispositif (54) destiné à soutenir cet organe par l'intermédiaire du tuyau (40);

placer un second embout (80) dans une position dans laquelle il recouvre la partie de l'extrémité repliée radialement vers l'intérieur, ce second embout (80) étant en une matière compatible avec celle du tuyau (40) et étant assez grand pour recouvrir l'extrémité ouverte de ce tuyau (40) en formant un second ensemble multicouche; et

lier ce second ensemble pendant que le second embout est en contact avec la partie repliée radialement vers l'intérieur, de manière à former une jonction soudée à recouvrement hermétique entre ledit second embout et le tuyau (40).

3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'ouverture (82) de remplissage est formée dans un embout (80), procédé caractérisé en outre par l'étape consistant lorsque l'organe (42) de support est démonté, à en retirer les éléments par cette ouverture (82) de l'embout, destinée à assurer le remplissage.

4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par l'étape consistant à disposer le premier ensemble multicouche dans un montage (54) de soutien, de manière à faciliter le chauffage de ce premier ensemble pour effectuer la jonction hermétique.

5. Procédé selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le montage (54) de soutien est caractérisé par un élément supérieur (60), ayant la configuration et les dimensions voulues pour s'adapter à l'organe (42) de support et par une ouverture (62) de sa paroi latérale, par laquelle il est possible de faire passer cet organe (42) de support et le tuyau (40), pour les disposer sur ce montage (54) et les en retirer.

6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par l'étape consistant à extruder le tuyau (40) et à le découper à une longueur prédéterminée avant d'effectuer l'une quelconque des étapes de la revendication 1.

7. Procédé selon la revendication 4 ou 5, dans lequel l'organe (42) de support ainsi que l'élément supérieur (60) du montage (54) de soutien sont tous deux annulaires à côtés oblongs, procédé caractérisé en ce que les dimensions transversales de cet organe (42) et de cet élément (60), qui sont respectivement parallèles et perpendiculaires à ces côtés oblongs, sont telles que ledit organe (42) de support et l'extrémité du tuyau (40) qui y est reliée peuvent passer dans l'ouverture de cet élément supérieur (60) du montage.

8. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'organe (42) de support est annulaire et la dimension maximale de la section droite de chacun des éléments (48, 49) de cet organe (42) est inférieure à la dimension transversale de l'ouverture (82) de remplissage.

9. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 8, caractérisé en ce que les étapes de montage consistent à, ou comportent le fait de faire passer l'organe (42) de support et le tuyau (40), qui y est relié, par l'ouverture (62) de la paroi latérale du montage, puis de bas en haut à travers l'élément supérieur (60) de ce montage (54), cet organe (42) de support étant orienté par rapport audit montage (54) de façon que sa plus faible dimension transversale se trouve de façon générale dans le sens des côtés oblongs de cet élément supérieur.

10. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le tuyau (40) est formé par extrusion et ne comporte pas de jonction de soudure entre ses extrémités, si bien que l'organe (42) de support ne peut être retiré qu'à l'état démonté et en passant par l'ouverture de remplissage (82).

11. Récipient (30) fermé pour liquide, destiné à être utilisé avec un certain nombre de récipients semblales dans un matelas à eau et comportant un élément tubulaire (40) oblong et souple, deux obturateurs d'extrémité, un à chaque extrémité de cet élément tubulaire, chacun de ces obturateurs comportant

a. une surface d'extrémité (50) tournée radialement vers l'intérieur tout autour de l'élément tubulaire (40), cette surface étant lisse et exempte de plis; et

b. un embout (52, 80) ayant approximativement les dimensions transversales de cet élément tubulaire et recouvrant sa surface d'extrémité (50), cet embout étant fixé hermétiquement à ladite surface par un joint soudé à recouvrement obturant l'extrémité dudit élément tubularie.
le récipient étant caractérisé par une ouverture (82) de remplissage qui est la seule ouverture de ce récipient, et en ce que l'élément tubulaire (40) ne comporte pas de jonction de soudure.

12. Récipient selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que l'élément tubulaire (40) et les embouts (52, 80) sont composés d'une matière plastique souple, et en ce que ces embouts sont soudés par fusion aux surfaces d'extrémité.

13. Récipient selon la revendication 11 ou 12, caractérisé en ce que l'élément tubulaire (40) est formé par extrusion.

14. Surface de couchage à flottement sur un fluide, cette surface présentant intérieurement une cavité, un certain nombre de récipients de liquide distincts étant destinés à être disposés dans cette cavité, surface caractérisée en ce que ces récipients de liquide correspondent au récipient selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 13.

Drawing